Jaguars vs. 49ers: Halftime Thoughts

What did we see in the first half of Jaguars vs. 49ers?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are going into halftime with a 13-3 deficit, but what did we see in the first half vs. the San Francisco 49ers?

Jacksonville's defense finally showed cracks, but improved

The Jaguars' defense and its ability to create takeaways has fueled the Jaguars' success this year. For the first time, though, it started to show cracks on Sunday as the Jaguars simply didn't look ready for everything the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan. The Jaguars went a five-play stretch where they allowed gains of 9, 29, 13, 21, and 9, a brutal stretch of plays where the 49ers moved the ball with will, including several plays where receivers were wide-open.

The Jaguars' defense did well when they forced Brock Purdy off his spot, but they already allowed one turnover-worthy play end up as a touchdown instead of as a turnover. The pressure increased as the half went on, but the 10 early points may have been too much. 

Is this offense good enough in big games? 

The Jaguars' offense looks broken. They generated just one first down and 20 total yards on their first three drives, averaging 1.7 yards per play in the first quarter and with two third-down sacks. Then they opened the second-quarter with a 16-yard Etienne run that was then erased due to a failed trick play, a delay of game, and then a strip-sack by Chase Young and Nick Bosa.

The Jaguars offense hasn't looked like the top unit it was supposed to be all of 2023, but especially today. The 49ers' defense has been absolutely reeling over the last month, but they made it seem impossible for the Jaguars to even pick up positive yards on consecutive plays. Whether it is due to the offensive line, Trevor Lawrence, the skill group, the play-calling, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that, right now, it isn't working, and the Jaguars don't look close to getting out of their funk.

The Jaguars' offense line is outmatched 

The biggest mismatch so far in this game has been the 49ers' defensive front against the Jaguars' offensive line. The 49ers have poured multiple resources into the unit, which has three first-round picks and a big-time free-agent in Javon Hargrave. With a Jaguars' offensive line that believes it finally has its five best linemen on the field together, though, one would expect more of a fight.

The Jaguars' didn't even try to establish the running game on the first three drives, with just three carries from Etienne for six yards. Etienne found zero running room and was more or less running into a brick wall every play, with his first positive run coming on a toss play on the fourth-drive. This doesn't factor in the Jaguars' offensive line getting dominated early on, especially on obvious passing downs.